News

Kuok Hui Kwong Named CEO of Shangri-La Asia

Shangri-La Asia will have a new CEO from Aug 1, 2025 Kuok Hui Kwong, daughter to Malaysian mogul Robert Kuok. The appointment also serves as a strategic direction to bring the company’s leadership and business operations into greater unison, leveraging Kuok’s deep knowledge in hospitality and media. Kuok has been closely connected to Shangri-La Asia since June 2016, first as executive director and assumed the post of chairman in January 2017. The combined roles of Chairman and CEO help ensure clear accountability, effective decision-making and the alignment of both management interests and the interest of shareholders in having management performing their role without the influence of separate bodies lobbying to influence decisions.

Read more

Goa Welcomes 5M+ Visitors in 6 Months, 95% From India

In a first, Goa already sees 54.55 lakh visitors arriving in the first half of 2025. This phenomenal number reflects the state’s sustained appeal as India’s leading holiday destination, with domestic tourists playing a major role in this impressive growth for Tourism in India. Figures from the Goa Tourism Department have revealed that among the total 54.55 lakh tourists, the domestic tourists were a whopping 51.84 lakh. January was the strongest month with 10.56 lakh arrivals, including about 9.86 lakh domestic and 70,000 international tourists. Momentum continued in February as 9.05 lakh tourists arrived — 8.44 lakh domestic and more than 61,000 foreigners. It continued to grow robustly in March when over 8.89 lakh foreigners visited the country. The domestic footfall was approximately 8.32 lakh, while international footfall was close to 56,000. This is an ongoing trend that confirms Goa’s appeal to travelers regardless of seasons.

Read more

Oman’s Tivoli La Vie Muscat Welcomes New GM Cristian Nannucci

Oman’s tourism industry is set for a major shot in the arm as Minor Hotels introduces Cristian Nannucci as General Manager of the soon-to-be-launched Tivoli La Vie Muscat Hotel in early 2026. A 30-year veteran of international hospitality operations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Nannucci will be responsible for the pre-opening and dynamic operation launch of the brand’s debut property in Oman. This decision ─ a strategic company leadership initiative, underscores Minor Hotels’ as a commitment to growing the brand’s footprint in the region to meet the vision of Oman’s tourism development strategy and to place the Tivoli La Vie Muscat as a landmark destination in the Sultanate’s luxury hospitality sector. International hospitality group, Minor Hotels, which has 560 hotels and resorts worldwide, is bringing its world-renowned Tivoli Hotels & Resorts brand to Oman with the upcoming opening of the Tivoli La Vie Muscat Hotel. Hotel guests will experience renowned Kempinski services and high-quality personalised luxury, all offered with an impressive sea view.Scheduled to open first quarter of 2026, The hotel development marks an important step for the company, as it enters into the Omani market, and continue to enhance their presence in the luxury segment in the Middle East. The Tivoli La Vie Muscat Hotel will be part of the much anticipated LA VIE development, a premier lifestyle destination in Muscat and only 15 minutes from the Muscat International Airport. The development aims to be a cornerstone of the capital city, around which a new era in luxury hospitality and lifestyle is set to unfold; one that introduces guests and residents to the finest combination of signature suites, branded residences, as well as world-class leisure and business facilities.

Read more

Emirates Adds Third Daily Flight to Mauritius, Boosting Global Connectivity

Emirates – the world’s largest international airline, has introduced a third daily flight to the Maldives as the Indian Ocean’s idyllic paradise reopened to tourists. Under a codeshare with Air Mauritius, the new service, with return ticket prices starting at AED 6,355, increases options for travelers taking off from markets in the Middle East, Europe and the USA to fly to the island destination. New daily flight EK709 will leave Dubai at 06:55 and will reach Mauritius at 13:40 local time. Flight EK710 will leave Mauritius at 18:30 and land in Dubai at 01:10 the next day. The new service will run daily, solidifying the airline’s partnership with the tourism industry of Mauritius and increasing its presence in the region. The new daily flight adds to Emirates’ two existing daily services on the route, both of which are operated by its flagship A380 aircraft. Serving the country since 2002, airline was enjoying great success with its two daily operations, playing a major key role in the development of Mauritius’ tourism industry.

Read more

Greece to Join Growing List of Countries Imposing Tourist Tax

Greece will become the latest in a string of countries, such as Canada, Italy, the US, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Mexico and Japan, to introduce a tourist tax in a growing global trend to curb overtourism and protect over-stretched local infrastructure. This latest action comes as the Greek island of Symi introduces a €3 charge for day-trippers, part of a global trend where authorities across the world are imposing entrance charges, overnight taxes and crowd-control fees to safeguard cultural heritage, curb seasonal overcrowding and steer a more sustainable course in travel and tourism. From European cities like Venice and Bruges to natural wonders in Japan and Mexico, tourist charges are the new normal in the remaking of responsible travel. Greece’s latest measure comes in response to escalating overtourism, especially on smaller islands like Symi. With a permanent population of just under 3,000 residents and limited resources, the island has been struggling to accommodate the daily arrival of up to 5,000 tourists, mostly coming in from larger islands like Rhodes. The newly imposed fee—collected by ferry operators—aims to ease this burden and funnel revenue into public services for both residents and tourists. Symi’s picturesque charm, architecture, and cultural heritage have made it a magnet for foreign visitors. But as visitor numbers surge, the island’s infrastructure—especially water, sewage, and waste systems—is reaching a breaking point. This new fee isn’t just symbolic; it’s an economic and environmental necessity. And Greece isn’t alone in recognizing this shift.

Read more

VietJet Thailand to Launch Bangkok–Kolkata Flights in 2025

VietJet Thailand is further boosting the Indian markets by introducing a direct flight service from Bangkok, Thailand to Kolkata, India. Commencing November 16, 2025, the new service will enhance travel connectivity between Southeast Asia and east India, allowing greater number of passengers to explore both regions. The new route, offering four weekly flights, is designed to meet the needs of both leisure and business travelers searching for an affordable and reliable travel experience. This additional flight will provide better choice for passengers who are planning to travel between Thailand and India as they will continue to get an extensive choice of flights for their travel plans. The non-stop flights from India to Thailand are on an increase, particularly to the main cities of Bangkok, and this service will surely contribute to the network of VietJet Thailand.

Read more